Here are the 5 most common myths and the truth that lies behind them
1. Men don’t have an infertility problem
Contrary to the popular belief, men alone contribute to the ⅓ rd causes of infertility
in a given population. The other 1/3rd is female infertility alone and the rest
1/3rd of cases is infertility in both the partners.
EXPERTS explain “The reason behind male infertility could be because of hormonal
imbalance, semen abnormalities or problems with sexual functions like erectile dysfunction
or difficulty withejaculation among others.”
“These are health and sexual wellness issues which should be dealt with appropriate
counselling, and couples should consult an infertility expert.”
2. If the couple doesn’t live together, they would never be able to conceive
EXPERTS offers a solution,
“When couples understand their ovulation and fertile windows better, they can plan
and commit to this process. “
3. Age only affects women when it comes to fertility, not men
Although age may not affect men as much as their female counterparts, their natural
fertility also starts declining post-40 years.
“As men age so does their sperm, which affects a number of semen parameters. Aging
is also associated with lower sperm count and decreasing genetic quality of the
sperm” elaborates EXPERTS.
Proper planning and knowledge can help men tackle this problem.
4. Irregular periods means you will never be able to conceive Women with irregular
periods usually
Women with irregular periods usually think that they can’t conceive and some may
even write off having children altogether.
EXPERTS states, “Although regular periods are a sign of normal hormonal physiology,
irregular periods don’t necessarily mean that you’re infertile. It does imply that
your ovulation is disturbed and may just be that your cycle is out of schedule”.
It could be because of a variety of reasons like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOD),
thyroid or prolactin disorder and early onset of menopause which requires a targeted
approach and right medical guidance.
5. Long term use of contraception affects a women’s fertility
“Many women shy away from use of long-term contraceptives like IUDs or even oral
pills as they believe that it’ll affect their fertility even after removing or discontinuing
their usage,” EXPERTS shares “but the truth is that the return to fertility after
use of contraceptives under proper medical guidance is nearly 100%.”
She further stresses that it is misuse of contraceptives, lack of regular check
ups with gynecologists or ignoring certain symptoms like abnormal vaginal discharge
that could lead to infertility issues.
EXPERTS concludes, “Infertility is a health disorder and should be considered as
such by people. It requires guidance, care and treatment. Instead of delaying the
treatments because of embarrassment, shame or family beliefs – it’s time to seek
the right guidance and treatment that can help you.”